Day trips from Southampton

While Southampton is not a major tourism destination it does have a stretch of Medieval city walls, several historic buildings, Maritime & aviation museums, art gallery, large shopping centre, cinemas, live theatre and other entertainment venues

Winchester is a pretty, small city close to Southampton (15 minutes) with many interesting tourist sites close to the town centre. These include the Cathedral, Great hall (with Round table), Wichester college, St Cross alms house, and several museums.

Despite the name the forest is actually a thousand years old and while parts are wooded much is open moorland!
If exploring by car get off the main roads and explore the minor lanes remembering the 40mph speed limit and the wild ponies wandering along the road.
If you don't have a car take the train to Brockenhurst (15 min) and catch the New Forest tour bus or rent a bicycle.
Within the forest are several major tourist attractions including the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Exbury gardens, Bucklers Hard, Longdown activity farm, Wildlife centre and more.

A historic market town just half an hour by train from Southampton.
Cathedral with Britain's tallest spire in the city centre.
The Stonehenge tour bus leaves from the train station and goes to Stonehenge and Old Sarum. Some people find Stonehenge disappointing but it is an iconic site, Old Sarum is less well known but it is well worth seeing

Half an hour from Southampton by Red Jet fast ferry (redfunnel.co.uk) gets you to Cowes IOW, home of the famous sailing regatta. Local buses (some open-top) can take you to the islands attractions including Carisbrooke Castle, Osborne house and the Needles

A traditional English seaside resort with miles of seafront to walk between Hengistbury head and the millionaires mansions on Sandbanks. The BIC and Pavilion theatres host concerts and other events.

Southampton's local theme park, it is geared more to younger children than to thrill seeking teenagers. There are only a few big thrill rides with more rides suitable for younger children including the new Peppa Pig World.
Bus X7 (X71 sunday) from Southampton

A fairly small zoo in the countryside between Winchester and Southampton.
Buses run to the zoo from Eastleigh station on weekends and holidays between April and September,

Portsmouth is about half hour by car (hour by train) from Southampton.
It is a working port city but has many tourist attractions. The principal attraction is the Historic Dockyard with HMS Victory, Warrior and Mary Rose (Mary Rose ship hall closed until 2012, museum open). Also worth seeing are the Spinnaker tower, Southsea castle, D-day museum and more...

A famous seaside resort, nearly two hours by train. Sights include the Royal Pavilion, pier, seafront and the shops in the Lanes. It also home to the worlds oldest operating electric railway.

Romsey is a small town 10 minutes from Southampton, it has a Norman abbey, King John's house and the large Broadlands estate home of the Mountbatten family. Broadlands is closed to visitors until 2012 but shows and concerts are held in the grounds. Open days are Monday to Friday from 25th June to 7th September, from 1pm to 5.30pm. Last admission 4pm.

About an hour from Southampton Chichester is a small city with Cathedral in the town centre. Fishbourne Roman palace, Gooodwod house (and racecourse) and Weald and Downland Open Air Museum are a few miles out of town.

Steam railway line running between Alresford and Alton.
Bus 67 from Winchester bus station to Alresford

Coliseum Coaches run a large selection of day trips from Southampton.
Pickup is from Titanic Memorial opposite the Cenotaph, Above Bar Street, Southampton
For longer duration coach trips see Angela Holidays